Rattler



J. L. LA FORGE Aug, Z4, 1948.

RATTLER.

Filed Dec. 45. 1946 l I J Aww Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED VSTATES PATENT.` OFFICE g i f y) @2,447,946

RATTLER n James, La Forge, CaruthersvillayMo. Application Viiecjeiim 5, 1946, serial No. '114,199'` j This invention relates to surprisev packages and more particularly to a device having a rattler which is inoperative when 'disposed under tension in the package but which becomes operative upon the opening of the package to produce a rattling sound` said device further having a figured member also under tension which, upon the opening of said package, is projected out of the open package, said rattler and said figured member causing surprise or consternation to the person opening the package.

The invention resides in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts as will be disclosed more fully hereinafter and particularly covered by the claims Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a device made in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the device taken as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

The device comprises a plate 2 of relatively stii material which is preferably rectangular and adapted to closely t an envelope generally identified by the dashed lines 3, said plate provided with an opening 4 more or less centrally thereof. To this plate a flat figured member 5 Vis loosely and pivotally secured as by the rivet 6, said member having a depending hook 1 relatively closely adjacent said rivet at one end of the member, the opposite end of said member being fashioned and ornamented as for example to represent the head end of a snake.

A motor in the nature of a rubber band l0 is passed through a :hole H in said plate, and stretched across the lopening 4 with its ends engaged by the hook 1 of the figured member, said rubber band being of a length normally to place said hook under slight tension so as to impart a turning movement of said member about said rivet. A rattle in the nature of a spinner l2 is inserted between the bights or strands of said rubber band at approximately its middle, and given several twists so as to increase the tension of the rubber band as will be readily understood from the drawings, the dimensions of the plate opening 4 being greater than the dimensions of said spinner. Preferably the iigured member has a portion such as I3 which overlies the twisted spinner when said member is moved to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, thereby tending to hold the spinner in its twisted condition.

3 claims. (01.419118) i Thegentire device, 'with the rubber band and spinner in tensloned twisted condition, is then placed in the envelope-3 and the ap I4 turned over its usual fold line indicated at l5, thereby j retaining the gured member and spinnerunder tension inthe ppsition shown in full lines. When the flap is reversely turned, or the envelope is opened along said fold lineVV |5,'the figured member will be freed and will spring out of the envelope due to the tension of the rubber band on its hook l, this movement being relatively rapid and causing surprise to the person opening the envelope. Coincidental with this movement of the figured member, is the release of the spinner l2 which, due to the spring action and twist of the rubber band, will rapidly rotate and strike the inner surfaces of the envelope to produce a rattling sound, which adds to the surprise or consternation of said person.

At the pivot end of the iigured member there is provided a straight edge portion 20 which is so positioned as to contact the closed or folded end 2| of the envelope when said member springs upwardly. said edge thereby constituting a stop for the movement of said member when the head end thereof reaches substantially the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts Without departing from the spirit of this invention, wherefore it is desired not to be limited to the exa'ct foregoing disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rattler comprising a plate having an opening, a gured member pivotally mounted at one end on said plate in parallelism therewith, an elastic band motor comprising two parallel strands extending across said opening said strands attached at one end to said plate and attached at the other end to said member adjacent its pivotal mounting, a sound producing element positioned between said strands within said opening, said element when manually rotated twisting said strands together and placing said member under operative tension, said plate adapted to be positioned in an envelope with said member depressed against said operative tension and retained in such depressed position by the folded flap of the envelope until said member is suddenly projected in a pivotal manner out of the envelope by virtue of the tension of said motor when the envelope is opened along the line of its folded iiap, whereupon said element is rapidly rotated to create a sound against the inner surfaces of the envelope by the untwisting of said strands, when the envelope is opened along the line of its folded ap.

2. A rattler comprising a plate having an opening, a gured member pivotally mounted at one end on said plate in parallelism therewith, an elastic band motor comprising two parallel strands extending across said opening said strands attached at one end to said plate and attached at the other end to said vmember adjacent its pivotal mounting?,A a mund producing eleimritg-gpo's'itieried between 'said strands within 'said opening; said i. element when manually rotated twisting said 1 strands together and placing said member under operative tension, said plate adapted to be 120%- tioned in an envelope with said member pivotally depressed against said operative vtensiatr and Iretained in such depressed position by, the ,iclded flap of the envelope, said member overlying a portion of the manually rotated element when said member is in such.I depressed position and untill-said member is -suddenlylproiected a pivotalmannerout of the envelcpe virtue o-f the tensionof saidmotcrwhen .the envelopeis opened along the lineof its rieldped ffiap-,.whereupon said. elementv is: rapidly rotated. to create a sound against the inner surfaces ofthe envelope by the Mntwistin-g o.f s aidstrands, Whenvthe envelope is openedgalongthe'line of its zioledvil-ap.

3. .A rattler ycomprising a plate having Van `opening, a gured member pivotally mounted at one end on said plate in parallelism therewith, said member having stop means adapted to limit its pivotal movement in one direction, an elastic band motor comprising two parallel strands extending across said opening said strands attached at one end to said plate and attached at the other end to said member adjacent its pivotal mounting, a sound producing element positioned between said strands within said opening, said element when manually rotated `twist,ing said strands together and placing said member under operative tension, said plate adapted to be positioned in an Venvelope with said member depressed against said operative tension and retained in such depressed position yby the folded flap of the envelope until said y,member issuddenly projected in a pivotal manner out of the envelope by virtue of the tension of lsaid motor when the envelope is opened along the line of its folded ap, whereupon said element is- .rapidly y.I-fotated. .to y.create a ysound againstthe innersurfac'esy of ,th-e,y envelope bythe untwisting .of `said strands, when theI envelope is opened along theline. of its folded flap., the stop means/oisaid member adapted to engagea folded end of theenvelope when said member is fully prejyected therefrom. f t .l

JAMES L.. yLA FORGE. 

